Hallcompiled and copyright by MJP Grundy, 2002Nicotiana tabacum, from Chambers's
Encyclopædia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge for the People
(Phila.: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1885), 9:462.

This is not intended to be the definitive Hall family genealogy, but only seeks to provide as much information as I can find on the immigrant Richard Hall and his daughter Rachel Hall who married Walter Smith in 1686, and their English ancestors. They are the individuals from whom our particular family line descends. If any reader has corrections or additions to this particular segment of the Hall line, I would appreciate hearing from you. Please send e mail to . Thanks.

Sources can be found by clicking on the bracketted numbers; or you can see all the citations at the bottom of this page.
Only the first mention of each source will give its entire citation.

First Generation

Richard Hall1 emigrated to Maryland in 1658 as a free adult, perhaps from Virginia.[1] He may have become a Friend in Virginia, or after he came to Maryland. Since his surviving children’s birth dates begin in 1663, the year he claimed head rights for himself and his wife Elizabeth (__), it seems likely that he either married Elizabeth in about 1662, or earlier children had already died.

Richard was a carpenter and planter. In 1663 he claimed land rights for transporting thirteen people into the colony, including himself and his wife.[6] The record does not say from where they came: England, Virginia, or somewhere else. By 1666 he owned about 2,500 acres. Ten years later he owned over 3,700, making him one of the greatest landowners of his time.[7] Richard’s dwelling plantation was “Hall’s Hill” in upper Calvert County on Hall's Creek. His lands mostly lay along what is now the main road: “Hall’s Park”,
“Hogsdown”, “Spittle”, “Thatcham”,
“Mitcham”, “Aldermason”, “Defense”, and
"Newington”.[8]

Richard was first elected as one of four delegates from Calvert County to the Lower House on 12 December 1665. He served five terms, one of the longest legislative records in seventeenth century Maryland: 1666, 1669, 1674-74/5, 1676-82, 1682-84.[9] At this period, 75% of the Burgesses sat for no more than two terms, so it was clear that Richard Hall was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.[10] Two of his four sons and three of four sons-in-law also served in the Assembly.

Richard Hall was an active member of Cliffs Meeting, and his name is said to appear frequently in the minutes (I have not yet had an opportunity to read them myself.[13] Richard was one of five who signed a testimony memorializing the life and work of Friend William COALE on behalf of the General Half-Year Meeting held at West River on the 29th of Third Month, 1680.[14] Richard and Elizabeth witnessed a marriage in 1682, signing the certificate, according to the "good order of Friends."[14a]

A Richard Hall was named as executor, along with George LINGAN, for Thomas COX of Calvert County 23 February 1675. If George was not a Friend and was able to take an oath in court, perhaps Richard assisted him; otherwise this was probably a man other than our ancestor.[15] As indicated in their estate inventories, Richard lent money to Thomas PAGETT and Edward KEENE.[16] These two were no doubt just the tip of an iceberg of financial dealings and connections among neighbors.

Richard signed his will in Calvert County 17 September 1687, and it was proved 4 June 1688. His estate was apraised 28 August 1688. He left about 5,100 acres divided among his sons. He gave Elisha 750 acres of the 1000 acre “Hall’s Hills”, including the part where Richard dwelt. Joseph got the rest of “Hall’s Hills” and 150 acre “The Defence” adjoining it, plus two negroes. Benjamin received 100 acre “Micham”, and another 100 acres on the south side thereof. Aaron got 200 acre “Spittle” adjoining “ Thacham” lately given to Richard’s
son-in-law John SMITH (husband of Lucia). In addition, Rachel, now
wife of Walter SMITH, received 300 acre “Aldermason”. Elizabeth got 300 acres of the 400 acre “The Hope” in Cecil County. Sarah got the remaining 100 acres of “The Hope” plus 200 adjoining acres. Instructions were
given that the children should be brought up as Friends. Friends on
the Western shore of Maryland were given £2. Friends William RICHARDSON, Edward TALBOTT, and Samuel CHEW were named overseers. He also left something for the use of Friends.[17]

i. Elisha Hall2, b. 8 July 1663; d. 6 Feb. 1716/7;
m. 28 Sept. 1688 Sarah HOOPER, daughter of Richard, and widow of Jonas WINGFIELD. Elisha was raised a Quaker but became a nominal Anglican while holding office 1696-1704. He had a pew at All Saints' in Calvert Co., 1703/4. But by the spring on 1704 he was again a practicing Friend. Elisha opposed the Revolution of 1689 and was dismissed from his justiceship in the County because of Jacobite activity in 1698. He was a planter, and owned 31 slaves at the time of his death. He bequeathed £5 for the Quakers' "stock" to be used for charitable purposes.[19] Elisha's sons Richard and Elihu and daughter Sarah were married under the care of Friends.[20] Elisha and Sarah had 4 children: Richard (1690-1739), Elizabeth (b. 1691, gave her first intentions to marry Philip HOPKINS at monthly meeting held 27/6m/1736), Elihu (1692-1753), and Sarah (1694-1741; first intentions to marry Samuel HARRISON, son of Richard, on 8/4m/1711, second intentions 6/5m/1711). Richard3, son of Elisha2 and Sarah, m. 4/7m/1712 Mary JOHNS, widow of Aquila, late of Calvert Co., first intentions on 5/6m/1712, second intentions 29/6m/1712; married at the Cliffs under West River MM.[21] Their son, Richard4 inherited "Hall's Hills".[22]

iii. Benjamin Hall, b. 1667; d. 1721; m. Mary BROOKE (1678-1742), daughter of Thomas Brooke2 (1632-1676) and widow of James BOWLING (d. 1693). Mary m(3) Henry WITHAM. Benjamin was a merchant and planter, possibly an agent in 1688 for the London merchant firm of Lane, Perry & Paggan. He was raised a Quaker, became a nominal Anglican while holding office from 1694 to 1704, and converted to Roman Catholicism probably after his marriage. Benjamin had a number of public offices, including justice in St. Mary’s and Charles Counties (he was dismissed from the bench in 1698 for Jacobite sympathies), coroner, a delegate from Charles County to the Lower House in 1697/8-1700, and
1701-4. He was a captain in the militia 1700-07. When he died he owned
31 slaves, 2 indentured servants, and 2,099 acres; his estate was valued
at £1,301.1.6. He left £5 to the priests.[24 ] Benjamin and Mary had a son: Francis (ca. 1696-1785). We are descended from Mary Brooke's eldest brother, Thomas Brooke3.

iv. Aaron Hall, b. 1669; d. 1704; m. Mary ___. Signed his will 27 Jan. 1704/5, pr. 28 Oct. 1705, that his children should be raised as Friends; daughter Elizabeth was given 300 ac "The Hope" in Cecil Co., she later m. Richard EVANS; daughter Sarah was given 100 acres of "The Hope" and 100 ac adjoining. Other bequests to his sisters Rachel, now wife of Walter SMITH, who was given 300 ac "Aldermason"; and Lucia, wife of John SMITH.[24a]

vii. Lucia Hall, b. 1675; m. John SMITH (d. 1738) who served in the Md. legis.[25] He does not seem to be related to our Smiths. John m(2) Sarah (d. 1747), the widow of Daniel SHEREDINE (d. 1700). John was an Anglican; planter; merchant; justice on the Calvert Co. and Provincial courts; and had the rank of Col. in the militia by 1722. There were two men named John Smith in Calvert Co., he is the one “of Hall’s Creek”.[26]

viii. Sarah Hall, b. 1677; m. Robert BRADLEY (d. 1724), a Presbyterian who had emigrated by 1693 as a free adult. Robert was prosecuted in 1694 for violating the Navigation Acts, but acquited. He was a merchant and shipowner. Robert served as coroner for Prince George’s Co. 1696-1707, and was elected to the Md. legis. Had a son: Robert Bradley of Prince George's Co. (b. 1700), to whom he gave all his land (850 ac.) before he (Robert Sr.) died.[27]

Second Generation

Rachel Hall2, daughter of Richard of Calvert County, Maryland, was born in 1670 or 1671, and died in 1730. In 1686 at the age of 16 she married Walter SMITH, bringing with her “Hall’s Craft”, a large plantation near Lower Marlboro, Calvert County. This became their dwelling plantation, and Walter styled himself “of Hall’s Craft”. Two years later Rachel inherited from her father the 300-acre tract named “Aldermason”.[28]

Walter Smith died in 1711. Rachel survived her husband nineteen years. She lived to see her children grown and nearly all of her grandchildren born, an unusual feat for those days. Her daughters inherited her longevity; her sons did not. Rachel died 28 October 1730, in the
sixtieth year of her age, and was buried 6 November.[29] Her will was dated
28 October 1730 and proved 3 February 1730/1.[30]

Children of Walter and his wife Rachel (Hall) Smith (order uncertain):

i. Lucy Smith3, b. 1688; d. 15 Apr. 1770; m. 9 May 1705 Thomas BROOKE4 (1683-1744), son of Thomas3 and his first wife, Ann. Thomas4 had a half-sister Mary Brooke who m. Patrick SIM, from whom we are descended.

iii. Walter Smith of Hall's Craft, b. ca. 1692; d. 1734; m. Susanna BROOKE, daughter of Clement Brooke. Walter was elected to the lower house of the Md. Assembly; served as High Sheriff of Calvert Co. 1725; and justice of Calvert Co. from 1725 until his death.[31]

The Halls and their colonial Maryland relatives are described in The Southern Connection: Ancestors of Eleanor Addison Smith Holliday Price. It delves into the social system, economics, religion, and politics that developed in colonial Maryland. The white elite considered themselves the pinnacle of civilization, while their wealth and power were dependent upon a horrifically brutal racist enslavement system. This hardback print-on-demand book provides the context for the Halls' colonial Maryland situation, including their membership in the Religious Society of Friends (aka Quakers). However, because I only follow two generations of the Hall family, they do not figure prominently in the book. However, if you are interested in learning about the larger picture, this might interest you. The book is available at lulu.com. Click on the title, then on "preview" to see the table of contents and a few sample pages. The price is the cost of printing and binding, plus shipping. I make nothing on it.

If you can suggest additions or corrections, I would be delighted to hear from you. Please send an e mail to .

This page was first posted on 3/6/2003, and most recently updated on 8m/23/2014.

Citations and Notes

1. Edward C. Papenfuse, Alan F. Day, David
W. Jordan, and Gregory A. Stiverson, A Biographical Dictionary
of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789 (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins
University Press, 1979) 2 vols., 1:389. Another man named Richard Hall
immigrated in 1663, and one was transported in 1669, Gust Skordas, The
Early Settlers of Maryland: An Index to Names of Immigrants Compiled
from Records of Land Patents, 1633-1680, in the Hall of Records, Annapolis,
Maryland (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968), 205.

4. J. Reaney Kelly, Quakers in the Founding
of Anne Arundel County, Maryland (Baltimore: The Maryland Historical
Society, 1963), 40. In 1759 "Marshs Seat" became the birthplace of
the Rev. Mason Locke ("Parson") Weems, the first biographer of George
Washington, who invented the filiopiestic story of chopping down the
cherry tree.

5. The will is transcribed in Doliante,
Maryland and Virginia Colonials, 366.

5a. Effie Gwynn Bowie, Across the Years in Prince George's County (Richmond: Garrett and Massie, Incorporated, 1947), 405.

5b. Ninian Beale (ca. 1625-1717/8), a Presbyterian from Fifeshire, Scotland, was captured at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650 and transported to Barbados. He was brought from Barbados in 1655 as an indentured servant to a Richard HALL. Biog. Dic. of Md. Legis., 1:122.

7. Biog. Dic. of Md. Legis., 1:389;
Charles Francis Stein, A History of Calvert County Maryland,
3rd. ed. (Balt.: published by the author in cooperation with the
Calvert County Historical Society, 1976), 267.